The duo — who filed the original application with the High Court to overturn planning permission for the project — have reportedly requested a certificate to appeal the court ruling, which was passed by Justice Paul McDermott.

Their case is due back before Justice McDermott on Wednesday October 25, according to The Galway Advertiser.

Campaigner Paul Keane, who leads the Apple for Athenry Facebook group, told Business Insider that "the collective hearts of Athenry sank" when they heard the objectors planned to appeal the judge's decision.

Apple wants to use the data centre to store European user data and to help power online services, including the iTunes Store, the App Store, iMessage, Maps, and Siri for customers across Europe.

The huge project has been plagued by delays over the last two years after a small number of people objected to its construction, citing environmental issues and other concerns.